Multi-use tool

ABSTRACT

A multi-use tool containing a tape measure, with tape lock, a laser device, a pencil sharpener, level indicators, a pencil holder, a storage compartment, a laser on-off switch, and a rotatable straight edge. The tool can be easily carried by utilizing its ergonomic handle.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the sameherein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. Sec. 119 frommy provisional application SINGLE BODY MULTI-TOOL DEVICE filed with theU.S. Patent Office on Mar. 3, 2003 and thereby duly assigned Ser. No.60/451,544.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This application generally relates to a multiplicity of carpentrytools that cooperate with a single housing. This invention is generallyin the field of hand tools, and is specifically concerned with a toolfor use in leveling operations; for example, carpentry and buildingconstruction layout.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Many different types of carpentry tools are available which arehand held. U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,753 issued to Henri Klok for ACARPENTER'S SAW GUIDE AND SQUARE issued on Sep. 20, 1983, is for alightweight portable carpenter's tool that singularly performs thefunction of triangle, ruler, square, protractor, and leveling device.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,135 issued to Brad M. Acopulos for AMULTI-PURPOSE CARPENTRY MEASURING DEVICE, issued on Feb. 3, 1998, is fora tool that combines the functions of a framing square, level and plumbbob in one function and one measurement.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,851 issued to Joseph F. Rando for ALEVEL/PLUMB INDICATOR WITH TILT COMPENSATION, issued on Apr. 3, 1990 isfor a tool for use in establishing a precise level line or plumb lineusing a visible laser diode. It has an internal tilt compensationapparatus for compensating up to 5 degrees off of level.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,296 issued to Felix C. Ponce for A TAPEMEASURE WITH LASER BEAM, issued on Jun. 24, 2003 is for a tape measurewith a case, a laser, a roll of tape, a dynamo power supply, and a solarcell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-use tool, andmore particularly, a plurality of tools embodied in a single housing,these tools being particularly useful in the field of carpentry.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to increases theproductivity of its' user by placing a plurality of instruments neededfor measuring, leveling, indicating, sharpening, and marking surfaces inone convenient location.

[0011] In accordance with the present invention, the above and otherobjects are accomplished by provision of a housing that comprises anergonomic handle for carrying and using the invention, wherein thehousing includes a plurality of compartments for housing: a lockabletape measure, a plurality of bubble levels for use in leveling andtruing operations, a visible laser for providing a visual reference lineon surfaces, a rotatable and lockable square for obtaining angularinformation between 0 and 180 degrees, a pencil holder and pencilsharpener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0012] A more complete appreciation of the present invention, and manyof the attendant advantages thereof, will become readily apparent as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similarcomponents, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a view of a multi-use tool according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0014]FIG. 2 is a view of a multi-use tool according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a multi-use tool 10 having a housing110 and a plurality of implements, or components, useful in the field ofmeasuring, and in particular, the field of carpentry.

[0016] Multi-use tool 10 comprises an ergonomic handle 20 for assistingin carrying the multi-use tool 10. The housing 110 is provided withplural compartments to accommodate the various implements of themulti-use tool 10.

[0017] The implements include a tape measure 40, with a tape lock 11,disposed within a compartment at one end of housing 110. When a tape(not shown) within tape measure 40 is extended, by, for example, pullingtape end 60 away from tape measure 40, tape lock 11 may be moved in afirst direction to lock the tape in the extended position and moved inan opposite direction to allow the tape to be retracted or furtherextended. Tape measure 40 can be in integral component of housing 110 ora removable component that sets in a corresponding compartment inhousing 110.

[0018] A plurality of levels 50, 51, and 52 are situated between tapemeasure 40 and ergonomic handle 20 in FIG. 1, or, as shown in FIG. 2,handle 20 may be disposed between tape measure 40 and levels 50, 51, and52.

[0019] Levels 50, 51, and 52 may be comprised bubble levels or digitallevels having a display such as a liquid crystal display andmicrocomputer, digital levels being more accurate. Levels 50, 51, and 52will provide indications indicative of the orientation of multi-use tool10, such as whether multi-use tool 10 is horizontally level, verticallylevel or disposed on a 45 degree incline.

[0020] A pencil sharpener 91 is disposed in a compartment at another endof housing 110, opposite to tape measure 40. Pencil sharpener 91 issuitable for sharpening a pencil 101 carried in a pencil compartment 100of housing 110 and having an opening 102, below pencil sharpener 91, forinsertion and removal of pencil 101 from housing 110.

[0021] The pencil shavings resulting from sharpening of the pencil 101will either be discharged from and opening (not shown) in housing 110 orcollected in a compartment 12. Compartment 12 can hold variousimplements not included as part of the tool, such a chalk, eraser, etc.,and is accessible by a hinged cover 13. The hinged cover 13 is providedwith an access device 112 used by the user to open cover 13, which iskept closed by one or more latches 15 and rotates about hinges 14.Access device 112 may be a finger access port or a raised element abovethe surface of cover 13. Latches 15 can be magnetic catches. Note thatcompartment 12 could have a removable cover (not shown), as removablecovers for compartments are generally known in the art.

[0022] A sub-compartment (not shown) is provided within compartment 12and houses rotatable straight edge 70 used as rotatable square thatcooperates with a one (e.g., bottom) outside edge 80 of housing 110 toprovide angle information and position to a user. One end of straightedge 70 is centered on and rotatable about a pivot point 130. A notch111 is provided in edge 80 to enable a user to access straight edge 70to rotatably pull straight edge 70 from the sub-compartment.

[0023] A detent mechanism consisting of a first detent 17, a seconddetent 18, and adetent catch cooperate together to allow the straightedge 70 to be rotated to a desired position and provide a tactileindication as to whether the desired position is reached. Such desiredpositions may be at 30, 45, 90 or 180 degrees. It is also conceivablehave multiple detents indicative of, for example, every five degreerotation of straight edge 70 about pivot point 130 for rapid anglesetting operations.

[0024] Detent catch 19 can be a simple raised bubble (or post), a ballbearing or a spring and bearing combination. Detents 17 and 18 may be ina surface of straight edge 70 with detent catch 19 extending from asurface of the sub-compartment, or the detents 17 and 18 may be in asurface of the sub-compartment with detent catch 19 extending from asurface of the straight edge 70.

[0025] Marking 120 a are provided along at least one side of one edge ofstraight edge 70 and markings 120 b are provided on at least one side ofhousing 110 along edge 80. Markings 120 a and 120 b may be units ofmeasure, such as millimeters, centimeters, or inches. Various ones ofthe markings 120 a on straight edge 70 may be used to indicateparticular angles at which straight edge 70 is positioned with respectto edge 80 when certain ones of markings 120 b on the housing 110 alignwith certain ones of markings 120 a on straight edge 70.

[0026] Although not shown, it should be apparent that straight edge 70can be rotatably mounted on an exterior surface of the housing 110, themounted end being a circular instead of square, such that markings forindicating an angular position of rotation of the straight edge will beprovided on the side of housing 110 and along the periphery of thecircular edge of straight edge 70.

[0027] Additionally, in either case, straight edge 70 can be separatedfrom housing 110 and used independently.

[0028] A present device 16, such as a knob, a spring washer or acombination thereof, is used to apply variable pressure to straight edge70 to hold straight edge 70 in a desired position or control how easilystraight edge 70 is centered on pivot point 130. Pressure device 16 isaccessible when cover 13 is opened.

[0029] Of course, if the straight edge is rotatably mounted on anexterior surface of the housing 110, as described above, pressure device16 will also be rotatably mounted on the exterior surface of the housing110.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, laser generator 28 provides a visiblenarrow laser beam 30 through pencil sharpener 91. Laser generator 28 isdisposed within its own compartment in housing 110. A battery 32 and anon/off switch 31 provide power to laser generator 28. Note that isshould be understood that the laser generator could emit the beamthrough a different outlet, instead of through the pencil sharpener, orbe split, or reflected to emit through plural outlets, as generallyknown in the art of laser levels.

[0031] The weight and balance of multi-use tool 10 allow, in particular,tape measure 40, to be used by one person. Additionally, a surface, orportions thereof, of housing edge 80 has an increased frictioncoefficient, such as a rubberized surface would provide, to assist inthe single use of the multi-use tool 10. A rubberized surface increasesthe static coeffient of friction between the housing 110 and the surfacethe multi-use tool 10 is being used on. It allows one user to use themulti-use tool 10 without having the assistance of another person tohold down the multi-use tool 10. The surface of edge 80, or any otheredge, can be magnetic (or separate magnets disposed in respectiveholders can used) to enable multi-use tool 10 to be held to a metallicsurface.

[0032] Also, a set pin 103 can be provided for securing the multi-usetool 10 to the surface of a soft material, such a wood. The set pinwould enable the user to move the tape while the set pin holds themulti-use tool at a desired location, and would allow the multi-use toolto be rotated about the pin to allow the user to change positions of thetape with respect to the set position of the set pin. FIG. 1 shows pin103 recessed and FIG. 2 shows pin 103 extracted for use. Pin 103 can bemanually manipulated or be spring loaded and released by pressing abutton (not shown).

[0033] It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made therein without departurefrom the scope of the invention, such as the location, or position, ofthe various compartments and implements without departing from thespirit of the invention.

[0034] For example, when a liquid crystal display and microcomputer areused for levels 50, 51 and 52, one of these can be used to display theangular position of straight edge 70, or a separate liquid crystaldisplay and microcomputer can be used to display the angular position ofstraight edge 70, or if levels 50, 51 and 52 are bubble levels a liquidcrystal display and microcomputer can be used to display the angularposition of straight edge 70.

[0035] As another example, a liquid crystal display and microcomputercan be used to display measurements with respect to the extension of thetape in tape measure 40.

[0036] As a further example, one or more batteries can be provided inanother compartment (not shown) used to power any other electronicdevice, such as liquid crystal displays. Also, solar panels can beprovided on housing 10 for providing power to the electronic componentsutilized.

[0037] As an even further example, a pressure switch can be provided onat least one side of housing 110 such that the weight of multi-use tool10 will activate the pressure switch to power laser generator 28 on.

[0038] As an even further yet example, a reflector can be provided toreflect the laser beam 30 through an alternative opening, or a beamsplitter can be provided to cause the laser beam to be discharged notonly through pencil sharpener 91, but also through an alternativeopening. Or through a pair of alternative openings disposed at apredetermined angel (e.g., 90 degrees) to each through housing 110,instead of through pencil sharpener 91.

[0039] Additionally, additional weight can be added to the multi-usetool to hold the multi-use tool stationary for assisting a user of themulti-use tool to use the multi-use tool single handedly.

[0040] The invention has been described with particular embodimentsthereof, however, indicated by the foregoing, various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departure from the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-use tool comprising: a single housing,said housing comprising a at least one compartment; a grip for carryingsaid multi-use tool; a tape measure; a straight edge rotatably disposedto pivot about a center point; and a pencil holder forming within acompartment, said pencil holder holding a removable pencil;
 2. Themulti-use tool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: at least onelevel for providing angular, horizontal and vertical information.
 3. Themulti-use tool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a lasergenerator disposed in within a compartment, said laser generatorproducing a visible laser beam as a reference line.
 4. The multi-usetool as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a tightening devicedisposed about said center point, said tightening device applying anadjustable pressure on a surface portion of said straight edge forholding said straight edge at a desired angle.
 5. The multi-use tool asset forth in claim 3, further comprising: a pencil sharpener disposed onone end of said multi-use tool and forming an outlet for said visiblelaser beam.
 6. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising: a pencil sharpener disposed on one end of said multi-usetool.
 7. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 1, further comprisinga detent mechanism disposed between said housing and said straight edge,said detent mechanism providing a tactile response to a user indicatingwhen said straight edge has been rotated about said center point apredetermined amount.
 8. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 1,further comprising measurement markings for indicating predeterminedmeasurements, said measurement markings being disposed along at leastone side of said housing and least one side of said straight edge. 9.The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 1, said straight edge having acircular edge about said pivot point, said straight edge comprisingmeasurement markings for indicating predetermined measurements, saidmeasurement markings being disposed along said circular edge.
 10. Amulti-use tool comprising: a single housing, said housing comprising atleast one compartment; a tape measure disposed at a first end of saidhousing in a first of said compartments; a pencil holder forming asecond one of said compartments, said pencil holder holding a removablepencil; and a pencil sharpener disposed on a second end of said housing.11. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 10, further comprising anergonomic handle for assisting a user in carrying or moving saidmulti-use tool.
 12. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 10, furthercomprising at least one level for providing angular, horizontal andvertical information.
 13. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 10,further comprising at least one laser generator disposed in a third oneof said compartments, said laser generator producing at least onevisible laser beam as a reference line.
 14. The multi-use tool as setforth in claim 13, said visible laser beam being emitted through saidpencil sharpener.
 15. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 10,further comprising a straight edge rotatably disposed in asub-compartment about a center point.
 16. The multi-use tool as setforth in claim 10, further comprising at least one side of said housinghaving a static coefficient of friction greater than the remaining sidesof said housing for assisting a user of said multi-use tool to operatesaid tape measure single handedly.
 17. The multi-use tool as set forthin claim 10, said tape measure being removable from said first one ofsaid compartments.
 18. A multi-use tool comprising: a single housing,said housing comprising a plurality of compartments; a tape measuredisposed at a first end of said housing in a first one of saidcompartments; at least one level for providing angular, horizontal andvertical information; a pencil holder forming a second one of saidcompartments, said pencil holder holding a removable pencil; and apencil sharpener disposed on a second end of said housing.
 19. Themulti-use tool as set forth in claim 18, further comprising a lasergenerator disposed in a third one of said compartments, said lasergenerator producing at least one visible laser beam as a reference line.20. The multi-use tool as set forth in claim 18, further comprising astraight edge rotatably disposed about a center point, one side of saidhousing and said straight edge forming a square when said straight edgeis rotated 90 degree with respect to said one side of said housing.